When Saul Raisin took his spill, he was racing toward the finish of a professional race--which was lucky. When most cyclists crash, medical professionals and throngs of bystanders are not on hand to offer help. When someone on your ride tumbles, stay calm but act quickly, and keep in mind these three key tips.

Clear the Road. If the fallen cyclist can walk, have him move away from traffic while you clear the bike and personal belongings off the road. If the victim can't move or loses consciousness, block traffic--or order others in the group to--and dial 911 on your cell phone. Tom Meloy, a volunteer ride leader for Seattle's Cascade Bicycle Club, suggests flagging down cars for help. On one of his rides, a cyclist overshot a corner and separated a shoulder. A passing car stopped and, says Meloy, "the injured rider was driven to the hospital. We didn't even have to call an ambulance."

Ask Questions. Gerald Bilsky, M.D., who treated Saul Raisin at Atlanta's Shepherd Center, says to ask crash victims many questions while examining them from head to toe: "Can you see me okay? Can you follow my fingers? Are things blurry? Does it hurt if you take a deep breath? Do you feel short of breath? Do you have abdominal pain?" Bilsky says that if the cyclist complains of a headache or blurred vision, or if anything seems atypical or out of place, immediate medical attention should be sought. "Look in the injured person's eyes and at their pupils and make sure they react. Make sure they can follow directions," Bilsky says.

In Meloy's experience as a ride leader, he has found that injured bikers become very talkative. "A lot of times after an accident, people want to apologize," he says. "Just talk to them and reassure them that they will be fine, and keep asking questions."

Check the Helmet. "Whether the cyclist is on the ground or walking, I always check for a head injury," Meloy says. According to Bilsky, the victim should see a doctor if the helmet shows even tiny cracks or dents. "Saul was an example--over the next 36 hours, he got worse," Bilsky says. "If there's a suspected head injury, the person needs to be transported for medical attention and assessed." Otherwise, if the cyclist feels capable, the ride can continue as planned.